Water Patrol involved in boating accident

Three people were taken to the hospital and two others refused treatment after a two-boat accident — including a Missouri State Highway Water Patrol Division boat — about 9:50 p.m. Aug. 29 at the 15-mile marker of the Main Channel.

Three people were taken to the hospital and two others refused treatment after a two-boat accident — including a Missouri State Highway Water Patrol Division boat — about 9:50 p.m. Aug. 29 at the 15-mile marker of the Main Channel.

Taken to Lake Regional Hospital and then University Hospital in Columbia with serious injuries was Brian C. Pecenka, 55, Lake Ozark. Taken to Lake Regional with moderate injuries were Water Patrol officer Stephen M. Burgun, 35, Jefferson City, and Nicholas P. Kamakas, 62, of St. Louis. Refusing treatment at the scene were John M. Barry, 62, St. Louis, and Mary L. Kamakas, 50, St. Louis.

Barry, Mary Kamakas, Nicholas Kamakas and Pecenka were passengers in a 2002 Formula driven by Pecenka. Burgun was driver of a 2005 MSP Donzi.

The accident occurred as the Burgun boat was traveling upstream and the Pecenka boat downstream. The Pecenka boat did not have bow lights and turned in a southwesterly direction and into the path of the Burgun boat, striking the Burgun boat struck the starboard side of the Pecenka boat, which flooded and then capsized.

Both boats were towed to a Missouri State Highway Patrol storage facility.